Special Volunteer's Message

My name is Prabhat Kulshreshtha and I am the son of Nand and Chhaya Kulshreshtha. Until 2004 I was a silent part of Alka Charitable Center This year I decided to take a more active role in the Center by actually volunteering my time. For three months I taught English, and occasionally Mathematics, to students in the tutorial classes.

The stories I was told about the Charity did not prepare me for what I would find. When I went to hold examinations for prospective students, I saw first hand the level of poverty that India still has. This particular school was no more than two very run-down rooms where students of every grade learned together. The school could not afford desks and so students learnt while sitting on the floor. At lunch hour the government provided them with little more than “mush”. It was a very heartbreaking sight.

I was definitely unprepared for the level of intimacy I would eventually develop for my students. Since English is one of the most difficult subjects for many students, I attempted to make the subject fun and alleviate some of their fear. Very soon these children were not just my students but close friends as well.

Fighting poverty in India seems to be an unending task. I highly respect the choices my parents have made in setting up the Charity. Education in my family has always been highly regarded. Helping to educate students is the best way to assure them a better life. What is perhaps most unique about the Charity is the personal attention each student receives.

Prabhat Kulshreshtha